Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/926976
IN THE WIND P30 DUCATI POSTS 8TH STRAIGHT YEAR OF SALES INCREASES D ucati continues to bolster their bottom line as the firm has recorded the eighth straight year of sales increases. How- ever, the gains were not much to shout about overall, with the Italians claiming a 0.7 percent increase in global sales to make a total of 55,871 bikes delivered to consumers. The USA still leads the sales race for Ducati, with 8898 bikes delivered, making for a small 1.3 percent gain over last year. There was good news on the European and Asian front, with Spain recording a healthy 28.3 percent sales increase as it strides its way out recession, Italy up 12 percent and China growing 31 percent thanks to the dealer network doubling in size from nine to 18. Argentina was up a whopping 66 percent, but Ducati did not disclose the overall num- ber of bikes sold in that region. "Despite a shrinking global market, we've succeeded in increasing our market share," added Andrea Buzzoni, Global Sales and Marketing Director. "We've expanded significantly in both consolidated markets such as Italy and Spain and in strate- gic emerging markets like China and Argentina. This is thanks to a range capable of generating loy- alty among Ducatisti all over the world yet also winning over new customers with models such as the SuperSport, Multistrada 950 and the Scrambler family. Moreover, the sales success of the 1299 Superleggera and 1299 Panigale R Final Edition confirm our technological and brand leadership in the high-end sport bike segment." CN AIRBAGS FOR ALL IN 2018 T he 2018 MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships will be the first in the history of Grand Prix racing to mandate the use of airbags for every permanent rider. Airbag technology has been in development for over 15 years in Grand Prix racing, however their use has been at the rider's discretion, with many top riders including Jorge Lorenzo and Johann Zarco, electing not to wear the suits. Currently Alpinestars and Dainese are the only manufacturers of airbag technology, which they license out to companies such as Rev'It and Furygan. According to the MotoGP press release, the airbag "should cover and protect at least the shoulders and the collarbone. Full or central back protection is optional. However, if a manufacturer chooses to have back protec- tion, it must cover the whole spine. Small variations according to the specifics of each system are allowed, as are variations to ac- commodate the different morphology of each rider, but the same key areas and guidelines are in place for every manufacturer. In ad- dition, airbag systems must not require any parts to be added to the motorcycle, and must be triggered without the rider being tethered to the bike." CN Johann Zarco (among others) will now be forced to wear an airbag under his suit.